Maikel van Mierlo's hughely talented Earley has been sold, and will in the future be seen under US rider Quentin Judge. The 7-year-old gelding by Harley VDL x Indorado won gold at both the 2014 and 2015 FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses with Van Mierlo in the saddle. 

On their Instagram account, Double H Farm writes: "We're very excited to add 7 year old, Earley (by VDL Harley), to Quentin's string. Earley is only the 3rd horse in history to win the FEI World Breeding Championship for Young Horses twice. He won as both a 5 and 6 year old with rider Maikel van Mierlo. Thanks to all who helped make this possible, especially our partners on Earley, the Creel Family!"

“We have enjoyed Earley so much over the years, and seeing him end up at a great stable like Double H Farm is definitely a happy ending to our fairytale,” former owners Evan and Mientje van Raaij states to World of Showjumping. “Although there has been great interest for Earley in the past, we never wanted to sell him. We have really enjoyed to own a horse like Earley and to see him perform with his great rider Maikel van Mierlo. When Double H Farm contacted us at the beginning of this year, we knew that if he had to go, Double H Farm would be the best place.”

For Evan and Mientje van Raaij, the story of Earley does not end with the selling of the mighty gelding. “Last year we bought Earley’s dam Zardenta, and last Sunday we welcomed a full brother to Earley out of a surrogate mare. It is a beautiful chestnut colt, very large and with great markings, just like Earley. In three weeks we expect another full brother or sister born out of Zardenta herself,” Mientje van Raaij smiles.

Text © World of Showjumping - Instagram // Picture © Jenny Abrahamsson